The Strength of Community, Oct. 5, 2018
Happy October! As I reflect on the first month of school, and my first three months here at Country School, the strength of this community continues to shine through. I have been talking about this at our gatherings of current parents, past parents, grandparents, and alumni as we kicked off the Annual Fund. I did so last night at our Early Childhood Parent Night, as I related the beginning of their journey at Country School to the saying that it takes a village to raise a child. Just as much, last weekend’s Cougar Run showcased so many wonderful aspects of this community meaningfully.
The race, which was a great success with a significant increase in participants from last year and beautiful weather on race day, involved contributions from so many people throughout the community. The Parents’ Association has been planning this event since last year, overseeing all the aspects that went into it being successful, and organizing all the volunteers who helped bring the race to reality. Co-chairs Kerry Hanson and Jennifer Kurtz and vice co-chairs Laura Cramer and Steve Petricone took the lead in planning and putting on the race. In the days before the race, Laura, Upper School teacher Will McDonough and Facilities Landscaper Marc Keneally laid out and measured the course. They worked to ensure that the course was safe and several areas of erosion were mitigated. 
On Friday, the Upper School cross country team ran the course, marking it with spray paint and cleaning the course, including picking up any garbage they encountered. As an aside, they found one notable item in their scan - a Mercury dime from 1917, one year after Country School was founded. Back in those days, Country School was not yet located on this campus, but the find, with wings on Mercury’s head and the date so close to our founding, seemed to predict a successful event.
Then, on the day of the event, students, family members, and teachers throughout the school came together to run the race, to participate in an obstacle course built by teacher Byron Reding, and to chase the Cougar whose outfit was worn by a mystery member of the community (not me, as many suspected!) Notably, four 9th graders, including three of the leading runners on the Upper School cross country team, came to compete, setting a great example for the many younger runners in the race. For many, it was their first race and for others, the longest they had ever run. In the end, the race was won by teacher and parent Sean Robb, followed closely by 9th graders Amitav Nott and Mason Zea.
Beyond the results, it was the message about community that took the day. The Parents’ Association, several teachers, our facilities staff, and students came together to make sure that the stage was set for an enjoyable experience for so many members of the community. Many of those volunteers worked behind the scenes as well. It is that spirit of putting energy in for others and for joining together for common purpose that is such a hallmark of Country School and of community, and it is one that my family and I have felt most keenly in our short time here. Thank you to all who participated and a special thank you to all those who helped make the event a success, particularly Kerry, Jennifer, Laura and Steve. I look forward to seeing many of you there next year when we are sure to have another, even more successful Cougar Run! VIEW MORE PHOTOS>>
Read more letters from Aaron.
Read more letters from Aaron.
New Canaan Country School
New Canaan Country School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin and are afforded all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid policies or any other school-administered programs.
